Raspberry Custard Gratin

Step 1

First make the custard:

Step 2

Place 4 egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk them together and set aside.

Step 3

Mix sugar, flour and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir in warm milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Mixture will thicken and eventually start to bubble. Cook one minute more while still stirring.

Step 4

Remove from heat. Quickly whisk about half of the mixture into beaten egg yolks.

Step 5

Blend this back into remaining hot mixture in the saucepan. Whisk constantly until mixture starts to bubble again. Cook for another 30 seconds or so but do not stop whisking.

Step 6

Remove from heat and add vanilla. Set aside, cover with plastic wrap and let cool while you make the whipping cream. You can set the custard in the refrigerator to cool quickly. The custard will continue to thicken as it cools.

Step 7

While custard cools slightly, place washed raspberries in a 2-quart oval baker or similar ovenproof dish.

Step 8

Preheat oven to Broil (Hi) and place oven rack at middle position.

Step 9

Place 1 pint heavy whipping cream in bowl of stand mixer or medium mixing bowl. Add granulated sugar and vanilla. Beat whipping cream into stiff peaks, this is important because the whipped cream will soften down when mixed with the custard.

Step 10

Stir the custard into the whipped cream and combine until the color is solid.

Step 11

Cover the raspberries with the custard mixture, you might not use all of it. Since the custard will expand when under the broiler, leave about 1-inch headroom between the custard and top of the dish (I usually have about one cup of the mixture that I don't use, but my dish is shallow).

Step 12

Place baking dish on rack under broiler and watch as it browns, about 5 minutes. The custard will start to melt to creamy smoothness and then the top will start to brown. Be careful, once you start to see a few dark spots across the top it will then quickly brown all over. Once the entire top is golden brown, remove from oven. Serve immediately.

Step 13

Cook's note: If you ensure the custard bubbles as directed, it will thicken perfectly and quickly after removing from the heat. Don't be intimidated, it's very easy.

Step 14

As mentioned in the intro, you may make the custard the day before serving. This will cut down prep-time a lot and then you can just whip your cream, layer together and broil quickly.

Step 15

Store leftovers in refrigerator, covered in plastic. Place cold dish in cold oven and then turn oven to 300F degrees. Let dessert slowly heat up for about 20 minutes then switch oven to Broil for another 3-5 minutes if desired.